ICMCF highlights the cutting edge knowhow in understanding biofouling and corrosion in the marine environment. Academia and industry have been fruitfully collaborating together in the field of biofouling, aiming at pushing the boundaries and creating powerful team capable of driving innovation and economic growth and revenue. While moving forward, there needs to establish an open dialog and partnership between industry and academia, also taking into account relevant IP issues, that in order to understand and address pressing problems of the 21st century and securing a healthy and sustainable marine environment.